Letters to the editor

Ordinance is behavior modification gone awry

More than 3,000 signatures have been obtained from local citizenry to let us vote yea or nay on the city’s bag ban. This is significant support for the right to put an issue before the people.

Here are some facts …

1) shoplifting is eight times higher in towns with plastic bag bans

2) plastic bags are sanitary and reusable … and they are reused, contrary to assertions otherwise

3) the volume of trash from our wonderful local coffee shops far exceeds any quantity of plastic bags allegedly laying all over our city streets and in landfills

4) there is no proof banning plastic bags improves the environment

5) bag bans punish customers

6) the ordinance includes no method for measuring alleged reductions in waste

7) unsanitary poly-cloth and plastic-coated bags have no proven benefit as alternative to plastic or paper bags

8) polyester is a petrochemical fiber … it’s plastic!

This ordinance is behavior modification gone awry complete with financial punishment for noncompliance. Like taxes, once there is a foot in the door, more like it will surely come. Several council members have stated as much.

If we don’t vote this out, be sure another like it is on the way.

Please download, sign and mail the petition for ordinance repeal at http://saveourchoice.wordpress.com.

Kathleen Olsen

Issaquah

State park

Do not commercialize, destroy this beautiful area

After reading the article in the Sept. 16 edition of The Issaquah Press I am incensed that the city’s Economic Development Department would even consider the commercialization of the Lake Sammamish State park waterfront.

Of the three proposals submitted, only the Issaquah Soccer Club’s proposal makes any sense. Why would you destroy the beauty of the remaining undeveloped portion of the lakefront with a restaurant and or a hotel/ convention center?

With commercialization come pollution, the destruction of natural resources, critical animal habitat, etc. As more and more less-than-thought-out decisions are made with regard to how “Issaquah should look in the future” the more and more we are going to be a mere extension of Bellevue.

What’s wrong with letting Bellevue be Bellevue and keeping Issaquah the way it is, a small friendly town with a small friendly feel? We don’t need to look and feel like a big city. My guess is the majority of residents feel the same way.

Jeffrey Rowe

Issaquah

City cars

Something smells about this situation

I was shocked to see the celebration of the donation by a local car dealer of vehicles to be used by the Issaquah Police. How can this not be illegal influence peddling? If it’s not illegal, it certainly carries the stink of insider relationships.

I would strongly urge the city to return these “donations” and to purchase what the police need through the usual processes. We don’t need Issaquah to look like so many places where local businesses get special treatment.

Wes Howard-Brook

Issaquah

Gender wage gap

New numbers are not so new

On Sept. 17, the U.S. Census Bureau released new data on the gender wage gap — but there’s nothing “new” about it. In 2012, women still earned just 77 cents, on average, for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. That number hasn’t budged in the past decade, and it’s lower for women of color.

Washington, D.C., has closed the gap to 90 cents and Wyoming was at the bottom of the list at 64 cents. In Washington state, a man earns $52.53 to a woman’s $41.06. We were number 25 on the list of states at 78 cents. Use this information when you go to any candidate forms this fall; ask a question about where they stand on the wage gap.

There is a bill trying to get out of committee onto the floor of our U.S. Congress for a vote, and it needs public support. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell support this bill; Rep. Dave Reichert is not on record as supporting Paycheck Fairness Act H.R. 377/S.84. Thanks to those who support this bill!

Patricia Martin

Issaquah AAUW Branch

Crosswalks

All drivers need to pay more attention

A bad start to the day — on Sept. 18, I was returning from a walk at about 8 a.m. and was waiting for the light on Newport Way and Sunset Way.

A 927 local bus was (apparently) running far behind schedule, for as soon as the light changed (the walk sign came on and the voice said I could cross) the bus made a fast right, right in from of me. I jumped back, and then a car behind the bus almost hit me, as it followed closely behind the bus. And then, I was almost hit by a woman turning left onto Newport.

All this happened in a matter of seconds and I still had the light! Usually Issaquah drivers are pretty considerate and will often stop if you are near the crosswalk. But that day, I was in the way, even though I was trying to cross legally. I’m glad I got home safe, and I hope they slowed down.